Senior Derby councillor quits Conservative Party to join Lib Dems

Stephen Willoughby has left the Conservative party (Image: Derby Telegraph)

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Stephen Willoughby said he can no longer support the party as it had become "unrecognisable" from the one he supported more than 20 years ago.

The Derwent ward councillor was first elected in 2007 then again 10 years later.

His colleagues today said the announcement has left them feeling "confused".

In a statement, Mr Willoughby said: "It’s more a case that the Conservative Party has left me rather than me leaving the Conservative Party.

"Over the last three years, I have seen the party become unrecognisable from the one I first supported over 20 years ago.

"I can no longer be part of and campaign for a party where Pro-European and compassionate Conservatives such as Dominic Grieve are no longer welcome.

"It has shifted from a position where Britain’s EU membership was accepted as the mainstream position to one where the Eurosceptics who now control the Conservative Party wish to take the country on a dangerous journey in pursuit of their ideology.

"I campaigned for Remain in 2016 and still believe that Britain leaving the EU will cause great damage to our local economy and jobs here in Derby.